Kenya focuses on remedying insecurity

“Without security, the economy will not grow and therefore we will continue prioritizing on security,” Henry Rotich, cabinet secretary for the Treasury, said during his budgetary address.

The 2014 and 2015 financial year will see Kenya’s government focused on key issues such as enhancing security, creating logistics network, transforming agriculture, investment in health and education. Other key issues included affordable credit and strengthened devolution.

The government is stepping up its security measures in particular following recent terrorist attacks, and a first priority is a proposed 66.2 billion Kenyan shilling allocation for police modernisation and 17.4 billion Kenyan shillings for National Intelligence Service.

Rotich added that a further 6.7 billion Kenyan shillings will be allocated towards the leasing of vehicles and aircrafts to help with surveillance to combat insecurity.

The government has also allocated a further 8.5 billion Kenyan shillings in the recruitment and training of new officers, security equipment, medical cover and police housing.

Hadijah Nannyomo, senior manager in indirect Tax at Ernst & Young, however does not agree with the government’s security allocation.

“Giving a certain portion to police officers is like saying police officers were not motivated before, and therefore an amount had to be allocated to them. This allocation is not clear. Are they prescribing for police to be motivated or be professional?” said Nannyomo.